How much does it cost to refinish wood floors?
Refinishing hardwood floors costs $1,000 to $2,500 for most jobs in 2026. What changes your price is below.
NerdWallet and Inch Calculator both put refinishing at $3 to $8 per square foot. Inch Calculator says most jobs cost $1,000 to $2,500, about $1,500 on average. A 400 square foot room runs $1,200 to $3,200, and a 1,000 square foot home $3,000 to $8,000.
Find out what it will cost you
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
How much does it cost to refinish wood floors by size?
| 40 sq ft | $120 to $320 (NerdWallet). |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | $300 to $800. |
| 400 sq ft | $1,200 to $3,200. |
| 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 to $8,000. |
| Per square foot | $3 to $8. |
| Oak, per sq ft | $3 to $5. |
| Typical job | $1,000 to $2,500, average $1,500 (Inch Calculator). |
What pushes a quote up
| Size | Priced by square foot. |
|---|---|
| Damage | Deep scratches need full sanding. |
| Stain color change | Adds a step and cost. |
| Wood type | Harder woods take longer. |
| Dustless sanding | Costs more but keeps dust down. |
Hardwood floor refinishing cost by region
| Lower cost states | $800 to $2,000. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $1,000 to $2,500. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $1,300 to $3,200. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Big city floor crews charge more per square foot.
Refinish, recoat or replace?
If the floor is dull but not deeply scratched, a screen and recoat, a light buff and a fresh top coat, costs much less than full sanding. Deep scratches, gray worn spots and stain changes need a full sand and refinish.
Refinishing costs a fraction of new flooring. See our hardwood floor installation cost page to compare.
Plan to move out of the rooms
Most finishes need a few days to dry before furniture goes back. Oil based finishes take longer and smell stronger than water based ones.
Why this costs more in 2026
Finishes and sanding supplies cost more in 2026, and busy crews book out further.
Fuel is the common thread. AAA's national average for diesel passed $6 a gallon for the first time on September 11, 2026, up from about $3.70 a year earlier (CBS 8 reporting AAA). Every truck roll and every delivery carries that. Materials moved too. Associated Builders and Contractors reported construction input prices up 4.8 percent in a year as of March 2026, the largest annual gain since January 2023, and the Associated General Contractors said diesel jumped 37.8 percent in one month, the largest one month rise since 1990 (Roofing Contractor, April 2026). Some suppliers added freight surcharges this year. Ask how long your quote is good for.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask sand and refinish or recoat.
- Ask the number of finish coats.
- Ask water or oil based finish.
- Ask if moving furniture is included.
- Ask about dust control.
Ways to pay less
- Recoat before the wood wears through.
- Move furniture yourself.
- Do all rooms at once.
- Keep your current color.
- Get three quotes.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to refinish wood floors?
About $3 to $8 per square foot, $1,000 to $2,500 for most jobs.
How much to refinish a 1,000 sq ft house?
About $3,000 to $8,000.
Is refinishing cheaper than new floors?
Yes, by a wide margin.
How long does it take?
A few days, including drying time.